Firefighters rescue two people from unit fire - Lethbridge Park

Published: 22nd May 2012

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters today rescued two people from a unit block on Bougainville Road, Lethbridge Park following a fire in a second storey unit.

The Triple Zero call was received at 1.29pm and firefighters from Mount Druitt Fire Station were on scene within 8 minutes. The building was heavily smoke logged due to a fire in a bedroom of a unit on the second floor.

A man and a woman on the third floor were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, but were trapped in their unit due to the smoke and heat. Fortunately firefighters were able to locate them quickly and bring them down to safety, where they were treated by paramedics. No other residents were injured. The bedroom of the second storey unit was destroyed by the fire.

FRNSW fire investigators have now determined that the fire was caused by an electric heater placed too close to bedding.

It is a timely reminder of the need for caution in the use of electrical appliances during the colder winter months. Last year, almost 2000 residential fires occurred during the colder months, and electrical appliances were among the top three causes of these fires.

Just a few simple steps will help prevent a fire your home this winter:

Check electrical cords and appliances before using them.

Never leave cooking, heaters or naked flames unattended.

Always turn off heaters before going to bed or leaving the house, and ensure that heaters are placed at least one metre away from flammable materials like bedding and curtains.